If you would like to get a head start on your bean crop, you may want to start these vegetable seedlings indoors. This can be done four to six weeks before the last frost in your area. It is important to keep the bean seedlings well misted while they are being grown indoors so they will be healthy enough to transplant into the soil. You should know the type of beans and whether they will need some type of support. You will need to dig the proper size hole and water the plants immediately after planting and throughout the growing season, and watch for signs of bug infestation.
Begin preparing the garden spot for your bean seedlings about a month before planting them. Add about 4 inches (10.16 cm) of manure over top of the ground, and then till to a depth of around 10 to 12 inches (25.4 to 30.48 cm). It can be a good idea to do this a couple of times, once around four weeks before planting and again two week before doing so.
You do not need to dig a very deep hole for young bean seedlings. One that is around 2 inches (5.08 cm) deep and wide should be sufficient for most varieties. Only the roots of these vegetable seedlings should be covered with soil, leaving a plant that is at least an inch (2.54 cm) high protruding from the ground after it has been set.
It is a good idea to plant only one variety of bean seedlings per row, as this can help you identify the vegetable seedlings while making it easier for you to pick crops. You can plant multiple rows provided you leave ample space between each one. For bush-type beans, you should leave 2 to 3 feet (.61 to .92 m) between each row, but around 4 feet (1.22 m) will be needed if the plants are a pole variety.
After you have planted your bean seedlings, it can be a good idea to water the plants thoroughly. You should give the vegetable seedlings enough water to completely soak the roots and the soil surrounding them; however, the ground should not become soggy when doing so. After the initial planting, you may need to water them two to three times a week during the growing season because the beans may not produce well if the soil becomes too dry. You probably will not need to fertilize the beans, but you should check them periodically for signs of insect damage and spray with an insecticidal soap if you see signs of infestation.
